Mounties say they have two new leads in the case of an elderly Alberta couple who vanished during a road trip to the Rockies 13 days ago.

Not only do police have a "person of interest" in the disappearance of 78-year-old Lyle McCann and his 77-year-old wife Marie, but they have also found the couple's Hyundai SUV, which had been missing since July 3.

At a press conference Friday, Assistant Commissioner Peter Hourihan said police were seeking violent fugitive Travis Edward Vader, 38, for questioning. He would not elaborate on Vader's connection to the case.

"At this time it's a person of interest, and that's all that I'm prepared to say," Hourihan said.

Police say he is dangerous and may be armed. Anyone who sees him is advised not to approach him, but to contact police immediately. He is described as 6-2 tall, weighing about 220 lbs., with short red hair and hazel eyes. He may have a goatee.

He has no fixed address, and is wanted on unrelated charges. He failed to appear in a Fort Nelson court on July 5 on charges of obstructing a police officer and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

The McCanns were last seen on July 3 filling up their RV at a gas station in St. Albert, a suburb of Edmonton.

On July 5, their motor home was found abandoned and burned near Edson, about two hours west of Edmonton. However, the light green 2006 Hyundai Tucson, licence plate ZPK 289, which was being towed by the RV was missing.

On Friday, police said that they had located the Hyundai, but declined to say where the vehicle was found because the location was a "potential crime scene."

Hourihan added that "we suspect foul play … we assume the worst and hope for the best."

Investigators are asking anyone who saw the vehicle between July 5th and 16th to contact them at 780-723-8800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Mistakes made

Police have faced heavy criticism for delaying an investigation, despite finding the charred RV.

A police probe officially began after the McCanns were reported missing by family members on July 8 -- a delay of five days. The couple was supposed to meet up with family members in British Columbia.

"I think that a couple of mistakes have been made," Hourihan conceded.

After sifting through the burned RV, police found the McCann's registration papers, and then called their home phone number. However, when no one picked up, it appears that officers didn't follow up.

It isn't known if RCMP officers actually went to the couple's Edmonton-area home.

"When the motor home was burnt, initially we were a little slow at getting going, as information wasn't passed on and a couple of things weren't followed up on," Hourihan said.

He added that one officer involved in the botched investigation has been placed on "administrative duties."

Another investigative slip occurred earlier this week when Bret McCann, the couple's son, took to the airwaves to ask for tips from the public.

The same day, two people from Prince George, B.C., went to their local police station to say that they had seen the missing Hyundai a few days prior.

However, that information was not taken seriously and the civilian staffer didn't even take down the name or number of the two tipsters.

However, police say they are now "doing everything" they can. Hourihan noted that 20 officers are now working on the case, which has generated 100-plus tips from the public.

Meanwhile, Bret McCann said he was staying positive.

"I'm viewing this as a positive step," he said. "They seem to be following a thread here that hopefully will lead to finding my parents."

With reports from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson and Jon Woodward